When Caroline Canby was asked who she thought was the most supportive, influential and patient figure, there was no hesitation before naming Erin Lane. Canby, a second-year student in the school counseling master’s program at the University of Iowa, expressed gratitude for Lane’s work, which earned him the Iowa School Counselor Advocate of the Year award.

Lane, a clinical assistant professor of school counseling at UI, joined the UI College of Education Department of Counselor Education in 2022 and previously worked as a K-12 counselor for more than two decades. He received his award in early November from the Iowa School Counselors Association, where he was a board member for four years.

“As a profession, we don’t do a good job of praising ourselves,” Lane said. “We kind of do the challenging work every day and focus on our students, which is a great thing. Now, as a faculty member, I can sing the praises of the school counselors I have worked with professionally and the school counselors I currently train.”

The School Counselor Advocate of the Year recognizes an individual or group whose advocacy for school counseling services has had a positive impact on school counseling at the local, state, or national level.

Lane’s work with the Iowa School Counselor Association and the American School Counselor Association was recognized at the Annual Conference in Des Moines on November 4, for which she received this award.

Lane’s job is to teach first-year graduate students in the school counseling department and also help second-year students place practicums and internships.

“Some of these classes can be really scary, but Dr. Lane has made it a very warm and inviting environment, a safe environment,” Canby said. “So if we messed up or made a mistake, it was easy for him to step in and guide us in ways we could get better. “He listens to us and helps us find our perfect match both in the classroom and on placements.”

Laura Gallo, associate professor in the Department of Counselor Education, nominated Lane for the award and spoke highly of him as a colleague and as a person.

“He took on a role that went well beyond what would actually be required as a faculty member,” Gallo said. “Service is part of our role, but I think being an advocate for the profession and our students is his passion. “I think he really impacts students here and at the national and state level because he is so passionate about what he does.”

Lane works as an advocate that includes grassroots efforts, legislative involvement at the state level, and national collaborations. He sees this award as an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical role of school counselors.

“I choose to see this as a point of appreciation for the work I have done and continue to do every day,” Lane said. “I know the people around me are very supportive, so I don’t think I need an award for it, but I appreciate the opportunity to do more advocacy and enable others to do the same.”

As a colleague, Gallo recognizes the work Lane does every day and acknowledges that her efforts do not go unnoticed, especially by students who are training to become counselors.

“He puts their needs first because he knows they will impact the students,” Gallo said. “He thinks about how his work will impact students in the field. He exemplifies who you think an advocate is because of how he impacts and interacts with his own students, which are his own interactions.

Canby also highlighted how Lane is always open to helping students solve any problems, whether personal or professional, and how she helps students and faculty make real-world connections to have their voices heard.

“It transforms our school counseling program into this program,” Canby said. “He does a lot of work behind the scenes and I don’t think that goes unnoticed. “We love what he does for us and the bond we have with him.”

Gallo hopes Lane sees the extent of his impact and that his students are aware of the work done outside the classroom.

“I cannot explain how he went even further with the value he placed on the profession. “It is a pleasure and honor to be his colleague because of his willingness to be a team player and his dedication to the field,” Gallo said.

Lane’s work provides a powerful contribution to colleagues like Gallo and students like Canby. Gallo said that while this award is a valuable accolade, it is not the defining characteristic of his success as a faculty member and attorney.

“I think the most important work I do is to remind people that the work we do is important and that I can be their cheerleader, but they also need to be able to speak to their professional identity as a school counselor and the importance of their role,” Lane said.